Self-centering vial clamp

ABSTRACT

A self-centering vial clamp is provided. The self-centering vial clamp includes a clamp body including a vial aperture and two or more jaw slots spaced around the vial aperture, two or more clamp jaws spaced around the vial aperture, with a clamp jaw including a vial contact face and one or more jaw projections configured to engage a jaw slot of the clamp body, and two or more lever arms coupled to the two or more clamp jaws. A lever arm is configured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw. Interacting lever gears formed on the lever arms constrain the two or more clamp jaws to move substantially in unison.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a divisional application of co-pending U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 13/081,735, filed on Apr. 4, 2011, entitled“SELF-CENTERING VIAL CLAMP”, which in turn is a non-provisional of U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 61/329,174; the contents of eachprior application are incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD

The invention is related to the field of a vial clamp, and moreparticularly, to a self-centering vial clamp.

BACKGROUND

There are many processes that involve the use and handling of vials ofmaterials. For example, vials may be used to store, transport, and/ortest a variety of materials in industrial, scientific, and medicalprocesses, to give a few examples. The vials can be of varying sizes,shapes, and capacities. The vials can be formed of any material, butvials are often made from glass due to the relatively inexpensive costof glass and due to the chemical unreactiveness of glass. The maindrawback is that glass is easily damaged or broken.

In the prior art, vial handling can be automated or manual in nature.Automated handling may work well for processing and handling large andcontinuing streams of vials, but is typically not needed or economicalfor non mass-production situations. In a processing situation, one ormore vials may be manually inserted into a measurement or testingapparatus (or other vial handling or processing device). In order tominimize processing time and maximize efficiency, it is desirable toreduce the energy, time, and effort needed to properly place and hold avial. Makers of equipment that handle and hold vials desire to minimizethe need for a user to manipulate racks, holders, clamps, and so forth,as significant vial handling requirements will increase the overallprocessing cost and time. Further, vial handling requirements maydetract from the user's ability to devote full attention to themeasurements or tests to be performed.

The prior art has other drawbacks. Improper placement and/or alignmentof a vial may negatively affect the test, such as where material to beadded to a vial is dispensed outside of the vial or is otherwise spilledor wasted Improper placement and/or alignment of a vial may damage thevial, such as where a probe is to be inserted into the vial as part of aprocess. Where the vial is glass or a similar breakable material, anymisalignment may cause damage to or breakage of the vial. Improperplacement and/or alignment of a vial can damage the associatedinstrument Improper placement and/or alignment of a vial can cause thevial to be tipped, resulting in spillage of expensive materials.

BRIEF SUMMARY

In some aspects of the invention, a self-centering vial clamp comprises:a clamp body including a vial aperture and two or more jaw slots thatare spaced around the vial aperture; two or more clamp jaws spacedaround the vial aperture, with a clamp jaw of the two or more clamp jawsincluding a vial contact face and one or more jaw projections configuredto engage a jaw slot of the clamp body; two or more lever armscorresponding to and coupled to the two or more clamp jaws, with a leverarm of the two or more lever arms being configured to be manuallypivoted, wherein the lever arm translates the pivoting motion into asliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw; and interacting levergears formed on the lever arms, with the lever gears constraining thetwo or more lever arms and the two or more clamp jaws to movesubstantially in unison.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp applies a predeterminedclamping force to a vial.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp is configured to clamp a vialof a size up to the vial aperture size.

Preferably, the two or more lever arms include grasping regionsconfigured to be easily grasped.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises a biasingdevice configured to place a predetermined clamping force on the two ormore clamp jaws.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises a biasingdevice configured to urge the two or more clamp jaws toward anormally-closed central position in relation to the vial aperture.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device connected between the two or more lever arms.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device connected between the two or more clamp jaws.

Preferably, the two or more jaw slots are substantially equally spacedaround the vial aperture.

In some aspects of the invention, a self-centering vial clamp comprises:a clamp body including a vial aperture and two or more jaw slots thatare spaced around the vial aperture; two or more clamp jaws positionedsubstantially on opposite sides of the vial aperture, with a clamp jawof the two or more clamp jaws including a vial contact face and one ormore jaw projections configured to engage a jaw slot of the clamp body;two or more lever arms corresponding to and coupled to the two or moreclamp jaws, with a lever arm of the two or more lever arms beingconfigured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates thepivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw;interacting lever gears formed on the lever arms, with the lever gearsconstraining the two or more lever arms and the two or more clamp jawsto move substantially in unison; and at least one biasing deviceconfigured to place a predetermined clamping force on the two or moreclamp jaws and to urge the two or more clamp jaws toward anormally-closed central position in relation to the vial aperture.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp is configured to clamp a vialof a size up to the vial aperture size.

Preferably, the two or more lever arms include grasping regionsconfigured to be easily grasped.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device connected between the two or more lever arms.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device connected between the two or more clamp jaws.

Preferably, the two or more jaw slots are substantially equally spacedaround the vial aperture.

In some aspects of the invention, a method of clamping and holding avial with a self-centering vial clamp comprises: receiving the vial atleast partially in a vial aperture of the self-centering vial clamp,where the vial is to be held relative to the vial aperture; urgingtogether two or more clamp jaws of the self-centering vial clamp untilthe two or more clamp jaws contact the vial; and constraining the two ormore clamp jaws to move substantially in unison, wherein the clamp jawsare urged toward a normally-closed central position with respect to thevial aperture, wherein the two or more clamp jaws self-center the vialand hold the vial with respect to the vial aperture.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp is configured to apply apredetermined clamping force to the vial.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp is configured to clamp thevial where the vial can be of a size up to the vial aperture size.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device that places a predetermined clamping force on the two ormore clamp jaws.

Preferably, the self-centering vial clamp further comprises at least onebiasing device that urges the two or more clamp jaws toward anormally-closed central position in relation to the vial aperture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The same reference number represents the same element on all drawings.It should be understood that the drawings are not necessarily to scale.

FIG. 1 shows a self-centering vial clamp according to the invention.

FIG. 2 shows an underside of the self-centering vial clamp according tothe invention.

FIG. 3 shows the self-centering vial clamp in an open position, with theclamp jaws fully refracted.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the self-centering vial clamp.

FIG. 5 shows a clamp body according to the invention.

FIG. 6 shows a lever arm according to the invention.

FIG. 7 shows a clamp jaw according to the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1-7 and the following description depict specific examples toteach those skilled in the art how to make and use the best mode of theinvention. For the purpose of teaching inventive principles, someconventional aspects have been simplified or omitted. Those skilled inthe art will appreciate variations from these examples that fall withinthe scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciatethat the features described below can be combined in various ways toform multiple variations of the invention. As a result, the invention isnot limited to the specific examples described below, but only by theclaims and their equivalents.

FIG. 1 shows a self-centering vial clamp 100 according to the invention.The self-centering vial clamp 100 is designed to clamp and hold a vial.The vial can comprise a variety of shapes and sizes. The vial can beformed of any material. The self-centering vial clamp 100 can clamp andhold a vial to be used in various tests or procedures. Theself-centering vial clamp 100 can clamp and hold a vial relative to aninstrument or other structures. The self-centering vial clamp 100applies a predetermined clamping force to a vial. The predeterminedclamping force should be understood to include a predetermined clampingforce range, as the clamping force may be substantially constant or mayvary somewhat over the jaw opening distance. The predetermined clampingforce range may depend on the design of the self-centering vial clamp100, such as the characteristics of the biasing device 242, the jawopening distance, and the design of the lever arms 220 (discussedbelow). For example, the biasing device 242 may generate a largerbiasing force as the jaws are opened, but the design of the lever arms220 may offset this larger biasing device force, such as due to a changein angular displacement of the lever arms 220. The self-centering vialclamp 100 holds a vial in a self-centered manner, where a user does nothave to position or adjust the clamp; or the vial. The self-centeringvial clamp 100 is designed for intuitive and easy operation.

The self-centering vial clamp 100 includes a clamp body 101, a vialaperture 110, and two or more jaw slots 111. The clamp body 101 can besubstantially rectangular in shape, as shown, or can be formed in anyother suitable shape and size. The clamp body 101 can include asubstantially regular or planar top surface 102.

The vial aperture 110 can be of a predetermined size and a predeterminedshape. A vial to be clamped can extend at least partially into the vialaperture 110, or can extend completely through the vial aperture 110, ifdesired. Significant portions of a vial may extend above and/or belowthe self-centering vial clamp 100, wherein the vial can be used intests, measurements, or various other procedures or uses. It should beunderstood that the self-centering vial clamp 100 can be designed toaccommodate vials of a size up to the vial aperture size.

The two or more jaw slots 111 are formed in the clamp body 101 and arespaced around the vial aperture 110. The two or more jaw slots 111 maybe substantially equally spaced around the vial aperture 110. The two ormore jaw slots 111 may be substantially equidistantly spaced around thevial aperture 110. The two or more jaw slots 111 may be substantiallyequally and oppositely spaced around the vial aperture 110. For example,in the embodiment shown, the two jaw slots 111A and 111B aresubstantially opposite each other across the vial aperture 110. The jawslots 111 are of a predetermined length that accommodates the size ofthe vial aperture 110 and allows each clamp jaw 211 to move oversubstantially a complete radius distance of the vial aperture 110.

The self-centering vial clamp 100 further includes two or more clampjaws 211 configured to move substantially reciprocally with respect tothe clamp body 101. The two or more clamp jaws 211 engage the two ormore jaw slots 111, wherein the two or more jaw slots 111 guide andconstrain the reciprocal motion of the two or more clamp jaws 211.

Each clamp jaw 211 includes a vial contact face 213 that contacts a vialto be clamped. When no vial is in the self-centering vial clamp 100, thevial contact faces 213 of the clamp jaws 211 will be substantially atthe center of the vial aperture 110, as shown.

A vial contact face 213 in some embodiments can be shaped to optimallycontact a vial. A vial contact face 213 in some embodiments can betextured or include a surface that increases a contact area and/or acontact friction with a vial. A vial contact face 213 in someembodiments can be over-molded with a pliable or resilient material inorder to increase a contact area and/or a contact friction with a vial.

The self-centering vial clamp 100 further includes two or more leverarms 220. A lever arm 220 of the two or more lever arms 220 isconfigured to be manually pivoted, wherein the lever arm translates thepivoting motion into a sliding motion of the corresponding clamp jaw211. Although the embodiment shown includes only two clamp jaws 211 andtwo lever arms 220, it should be understood that more than two could beused. For example, in some embodiments the self-centering vial clamp 100could be constructed with three or four clamp jaws and three or fourcorresponding lever arms.

Grasping regions 223 may be formed on ends of the lever arms 220. Thegrasping regions 223 are configured to be easily grasped by a user ofthe self-centering vial clamp 100. The grasping regions 223 can comprisecut-out or shaped regions that assist a user in grasping the two or morelever arms 220. The grasping regions 223 can comprise textured regionsthat assist a user in grasping the two or more lever arms 220. Thegrasping regions 223 can be over-molded with a pliable or resilientmaterial in order to increase friction.

The lever arms 220 are configured to be moved by a user in order tooperate the self-centering vial clamp 100. Each lever arm 220 is coupledto a corresponding clamp jaw 211 and is configured to move thecorresponding clamp jaw 211 in a reciprocating manner Specifically, thecombined clamp jaws 211 and lever arms 220 may be biased to keep theclamp jaws 211 in substantially closed or centered positions, in theabsence of a user manipulating the lever arms 220. This substantiallyclosed or centered position can place a predetermined clamping force ona vial present in the self-centering vial clamp 100.

Conversely, when a user squeezes together the extending ends of thelever arms 220, the lever arms 220 translate the user's applied forceinto a sliding force that is opposed to the normally-closed biasingforce, retracting the clamp jaws 211 and releasing the vial.

A user operates the lever arms 220 to retract the clamp jaws 211. Aftera vial is placed between the clamp jaws 211 (but not necessary centeredin the vial aperture 110), then the user can release the lever arms 220.However, it should be understood that the user does not have tocarefully and accurately position the vial. The vial does not have to becentered in the vial aperture 110 and does not have to be centeredbetween the clamp jaws 211. The vial merely has to be positioned so asto be acted on by the clamp jaws 211. The clamp jaws 211 are biased toautonomously move into contact with the vial when the lever arms 220 arereleased, clamping to the vial and holding the vial in position. Themovement of the clamp jaws 211 will operate to center the vial withrespect to the vial aperture 110. The shape of the vial contact faces213 may assist in centering the vial.

The clamp jaws 211 are configured to place the predetermined clampingforce on a vial. The predetermined clamping force in some embodimentsmay be placed on the vial no matter the size of the vial. However, theclamping force in some embodiments may vary over a predeterminedclamping force range, as previously discussed. Advantageously, theclamping force may be designed to increase when the clamp jaws 211 arefarther apart, as larger and heavier vials may need increased clampingforce for adequate support. Further, the clamp jaws 211 move the vialsubstantially to the center of the vial aperture 110. Thisself-centering is done without any effort or attention by the user.

Similarly, the release procedure is simple and straightforward. It maybe possible to merely pull the vial up and out of the self-centeringvial clamp 100, depending on the vial and the magnitude of thepredetermined clamping force. Alternatively, the user may again squeezethe lever arms 220 together, releasing the clamping force on the vial,and can then easily remove the vial.

The self-centering vial clamp 100 can further include one or morefastener apertures 107 that receive corresponding fasteners 108. Thefasteners 108 can comprise any type of suitable fastener. As a result,the self-centering vial clamp 100 can be affixed (or removably affixed)to another structure. For example, the self-centering vial clamp 100 canbe affixed to any manner of measurement instrument, including electronicand/or automated measurement instruments. The self-centering vial clamp100 advantageously can make manual vial handling operations easier andfaster to perform. In addition, the self-centering vial clamp 100 willreduce damage or breakage of vials by automated processing equipment, asthe vials will be quickly, easily, and automatically centered.

FIG. 2 shows an underside of the self-centering vial clamp 100 accordingto the invention. This figure shows further features of the clampcomponents. This figure shows additional detail of how the componentsinteract to make the clamp function.

The clamp body 101 includes a lever gap 105. The ends of the lever arms220 in the embodiment shown extend through the lever gap 105 and extendfrom the clamp body 101. Therefore, in this embodiment, a major portionof the lever arms 220 are not visible or exposed.

The clamp body 101 further includes one or more alignment projections216. The one or more alignment projections 216 extend from the clampbody 101 and are configured to engage corresponding bores or features inanother structure. The one or more alignment projections 216 assist inretaining the self-centering vial clamp 100 to this other structure.Further, the one or more alignment projections 216 are configured tocooperate with and assist the one or more fasteners 108 in affixing theself-centering vial clamp 100 to the other structure.

The clamp body 101 includes the fastener apertures 107 that includebores for receiving the fasteners 108. The fastener apertures 107 insome embodiments can comprise stand-offs, as shown. Retainers 113 canfit to the fasteners 108 and retain the fasteners 108 in the fastenerapertures 107. The retainers 113 can comprise any suitable fasteners.The retainers 113 can removably or permanently affix to the fasteners108. Ejector springs 109 can be included to automatically retract thefasteners 108 when the fasteners 108 are rotated or otherwisemanipulated to disengage from the fastener apertures 107 (see FIG. 4 andthe accompanying discussion).

The clamp jaws 211 further include one or more jaw projections 231. Inthe embodiment shown, the clamp jaws 211 include a first jaw projection231C and second jaw projection 231D. The first jaw projection 231C andthe second jaw projection 231D are configured to fit into the jaw slots211, wherein the first jaw projection 231C and the second jaw projection231D constrain the clamp jaws 211 to move substantially linearly andreciprocally over a predetermined range of motion.

The first jaw projection 231C and the second jaw projection 231D can beof any predetermined size and shape. The first jaw projection 231C andthe second jaw projection 231D may be substantially cylindrical in someembodiments. Alternatively, the two projections can be replaced by morethan two projections or may be replaced by a single projection of anon-cylindrical shape that prevents rotation of the clamp jaw 211.

The first jaw projection 231C is configured to receive a jaw projectionfastener 232. The jaw projection fastener 232 can removably orpermanently attach to the end of the first jaw projection 231C. The jawprojection fastener 232 can comprise any suitable fastener.

The lever arms 220 further include lever slots 230. The lever slots 230receive the first jaw projections 231C of the clamp jaws 211 in someembodiments. The first jaw projections 232 can slide in the lever slots230. Consequently, the lever slots 230 translate a rotational movementof the lever arms 220 into a linear, reciprocating movement. Rotationalmovement of the lever arms 220 due to manipulation by a user thereforeforces the clamp jaws to move toward or away from the center of the vialaperture 110.

The lever arms 220 further include interacting lever gears 224. Thelever gears 224 comprise an arc of gear teeth, wherein the first levergear 224A of the first lever arm 220A meshes with the second lever gear224B of the second lever arm 220B. Consequently, rotation of the firstlever arm 220A will induce rotation of the second lever arm 220B, andvice versa. In this manner, a force on (and movement of) a single leverarm 220 will cause movement of both clamp jaws 211A and 211B. The levergears 224 constrain the two or more lever arms 220 and the two or moreclamp jaws 211 to move substantially in unison.

The lever arms 220 further include biasing device apertures 241. Thebiasing device apertures 241 are configured to receive at least onebiasing device 242. The at least one biasing device 242 in someembodiments connects between the first and second lever arms 220A and220B. The at least one biasing device 242 in some embodiments pulls thetwo lever arms 220 together. The at least one biasing device 242therefore can provide the predetermined clamping force on the two ormore clamp jaws 211. The at least one biasing device 242 is configuredto urge the two or more clamp jaws 211 toward a normally-closed centralposition in relation to the vial aperture, i.e., the closed position ofFIGS. 1 and 2, for example.

Alternatively, the at least one biasing device 242 can be connectedbetween the two or more clamp jaws 211. In some embodiments, a biasingdevice 242 connected between the clamp jaws 211 could attach to a jawprojection 231. In addition, such a biasing device 242 could affix tothe jaw projection 231 and replace or make unnecessary the jawprojection fastener 232, for example.

In the embodiment shown, the at least one biasing device 242 comprises acoil spring. However, it should be understood that the at least onebiasing device 242 can comprise any suitable biasing device, includingcoil or leaf shaped biasing devices, for example. Further, the at leastone biasing device 242 does not have to extend between two or moremovable components and can be positioned between the clamp body 101 anda moveable component, for example, or can extend between three or moremovable components. In addition, where the self-centering vial clamp 100includes more than two lever arms 220 or more than two clamp jaws 211,then more than one biasing device 242 may be required.

The lever arms 220 further include pivot apertures 229 (see FIG. 4) thatreceive lever arm fasteners 246. The lever arm fasteners 246 hold thelever arms 220 to the clamp body 101, while allowing the lever arms 220to rotate. The clamp body 101 can include stand-offs 116 that includebores (not shown) for receiving the lever arm fasteners 246. The leverarms 220 fit over the stand-offs 116, with the lever arm fasteners 246engaging the bores.

FIG. 3 shows the self-centering vial clamp 100 in an open position, withthe clamp jaws 211 fully retracted. This figure illustrates that theself-centering vial clamp 100 can receive a vial that is as large as thevial aperture size. It can be seen that the ends of the two lever arms220 have been substantially squeezed together. It should be understoodthat in some embodiments, the clamp jaws 211 will spring back to thecenter of the vial aperture 110 in the absence of any continuingforce(s) on the lever arms 220, i.e., the clamp jaws 211 will move backto the closed position immediately upon their release.

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of the self-centering vial clamp 100. Thisview shows the fasteners 108 being assembled into the fastener apertures107 in the clamp body 101. The fasteners 108 can include correspondingretainers 113 and ejector springs 109. The retainer 113 can retain thefastener 108 in the fastener aperture 107, while the ejector spring 109can urge the fastener 108 toward a partially retracted fastenerposition. Consequently, when the fastener 108 is manipulated todisengage from the clamp body 101, the ejector spring 109 will urge thefastener 108 away from the fastener aperture 107.

FIG. 5 shows the clamp body 101 according to the invention. This figureshows the fastener apertures 107 and the lever gap 105. The fastenerapertures 107 in this embodiment comprise recessed wells that receive aportion of the fasteners 108.

FIG. 6 shows the lever arm 220 according to the invention. The figureshows the pivot aperture 229 for receiving the lever arm fastener 246.

FIG. 7 shows the clamp jaw 211 according to the invention. The clamp jaw211 in some embodiments includes the first jaw projection 231C and thesecond jaw projection 231D. The first and second jaw projections 231Cand 231D may be configured to fit to a jaw slot 111 of the clamp body101.

It can be seen from the figure that the first jaw projection 231C caninclude a small end portion 238. The small end portion 238 can beconfigured to receive and hold the jaw projection fastener 232, with thejaw projection fastener 232 holding the lever slot 230 of the lever arm220 over the first jaw projection 231C.

1. A method of clamping and holding a vial with a self-centering vialclamp, with the method comprising: receiving the vial at least partiallyin a vial aperture of the self-centering vial clamp, where the vial isto be held relative to the vial aperture; urging together two or moreclamp jaws of the self-centering vial clamp until the two or more clampjaws contact the vial; and constraining the two or more clamp jaws tomove substantially in unison, wherein the clamp jaws are urged toward anormally-closed central position with respect to the vial aperture,wherein the two or more clamp jaws self-center the vial and hold thevial with respect to the vial aperture.
 2. The method of claim 1, withthe self-centering vial clamp being configured to apply a predeterminedclamping force to the vial.
 3. The method of claim 1, with theself-centering vial clamp being configured to clamp the vial where thevial can be of a size up to the vial aperture size.
 4. The method ofclaim 1, with the self-centering vial clamp further comprising at leastone biasing device that places a predetermined clamping force on the twoor more clamp jaws.
 5. The method of claim 1, with the self-centeringvial clamp further comprising at least one biasing device that urges thetwo or more clamp jaws toward a normally-closed central position inrelation to the vial aperture.